Air humidifier for a combustion engine



Feb. l5, 1938. w. G. HARDT AIR HUMIDIFIER FOR A COMBUSTION ENGINE Filed Aug Patented Feb; 15, 1938 Am HUMIDIFIER Foa A ENGmE COMBUSTION William G. Hardt, Chicago, Ill. Application August 31, 1937, Serial No.i16v1,818 2 Claims. (Cl.` 261-100) I'his invention relates to an improved air humidiiier for a combustion engine.

One of the main objects of this invention is to provide an improved humidifier for moistening the air as it passes fromthe air cleaner into the I intake of the carburetor of an automobile engine.

Another object of this inventionvisv to provide such a humidifier whichis' simple and inexpensive in construction, so that it can be produced very economically and at the same time will be durable and reliable in use.

A further object of this invention is to provide suchr a. humidifier which can be readily regulated to admit a larger or smaller quantity of liquid to the air as it is drawn into the carburetor.

These and various other objects and advantages are attained with this invention, as will become apparent from the following description, 20 taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein the invention is shown in its preferred form; it being understood that various` other arrangements and forms of construction may be adopted in carrying out the objects and purposes of this invention.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view, illustrating diagrammatically my invention as applied to the connecting conduit between the air cleaner and the carburetor of a well known automobile, with the regulating valve controllable from the automobile dash. I

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of tlie humidifier mounted in position in the air passage between the air cleaner and the carburetor.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the humidifier.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view thereof, taken on line 4 4 of Fig. 3. i

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the fabric diaphragm.

Ihe humidifier or air moistening `device disclosed in this application is more particularly adapted for use on an automobile engine, and is especially arranged to be applied to the connecting conduit between the air cleaner and the carburetor of the automobile, so as to supply a small engine, and will vary in the quantity of mois- 50' ture drawn up and supplied to the air in han 55 liquid container II) which is mounted in the con- 'quantity of moisture to the air as it is drawn' from theair cleaner into the carburetor. It will function automatically thru the ,suction of the necting portion between the air cleaner II and the carburetor I2, being preferably secured within a neck I3 of cleaner Il, as by means I0', and

seated on the upper end of the intake tube I4 of carburetor I2, whereon said neck is mounted.

lA shortplpe or nipple I5 extends from the container thru a suitable opening in neck I3; and a. fluid tank I6, provided with a gauge Il, is connected by a conduit I8 with said pipe I5. A regulating valve I9 is provided on said conduit, being preferably threaded to the end of the conduit and the pipe I5, and it is adapted to'be con- :trolled from the automobile dash 20 by means of a rod 2| extending from the dash to a handle I9',on valve I9.

The container Ill is preferably arranged in the shape of an annular tube or tubular member, of copper, which has a slit 22 provided annularly around its upper part. An'absorptive or permeable member 23 is mounted 4across the container, and it is preferably in the form of a dia-l phragm or sheet of fabric, of linen or else wool, Y'

stretched across the container and having its end part 'inserted' inslit 22 to be immersed in the liquid container. The inner end part of member 23 may be enlarged, as by securing a rod-like element 24 in the end hem of said member, to prevent withdrawal of the end part thru the slit.

Securing means is further provided to hold the fabric member 23 in the slit, it also permits the passage of the liquid therethru from the container,and this is preferably in the form of a semi-cylindrical band 25 of rubber forced into the slit at the inward' side of said member 23,

and a dat rubber band 26 forced into the slit at the outward side of said member 23. These 'rubber bands hold the fabric member 23 firmly in position in the slit, and by their smooth surfaces also serve to facilitate the smooth flow of the liquid, such as water, thru the end part of the fabric diaphragm, between said bands positioned in the slit, out of the container, 'and into the main intermediate part which is stretched across the air intake channel leading to the carburetor; and furthermore, it serves to prevent the liquid from splashing out of the container.

It is apparent from the above disclosure that this humidier is simple and economical in construction, and canbe mounted in an out-of-the- Way position in the connection between the carburetor and the air cleaner, and that it can be easily regulated by the control valve to admit the exact quantity of liquid desired to .the air iiowing to the carburetor, whereby to produce the most eilicient result. This invention not only produces a saving in fuel, but it also brings about an exceptionally smooth running of the engine.

'l claim:

1. A humidifier for a carburetor having an air 'cleaier on its air intake end, said humidier consisting of an endless tubular liquid container having a continuous slit annularly around its upper portion and being mountable in the connecting portion between said cleaner and carburetor, means for conducting liquid to said container, a fabric diaphragm stretched across said container and having its end part inserted thru said slit, to conduct liquid from the container, and band means Wherewith said fabric is secured in the slit.

2. In an automobile having a carburetor with an air intake tube also an air cleaner with a discharge'tube mounted on the carburetor tube, a humidifier comprising a slitted annular tubular container mounted in said connected tubes and having liquid intake means extending beyond said connected tubes, fabric sheet means stretched across the space in the container and tubes and having its end part extending thru the slit into the container to takemp liquid therefrom, and smooth surfaced band means on the opposite sides of the sheet means positioned in the slit, to secure the sheet means therein and to permit lthe passing of the liquid from the container thru said end part in the slit and into said sheet means.

WILLIAM G. HARDT. 

